Auto-Helm with Davits and Solar

[tdoster]

Wondering if anyone with experience can give some advise.

Currently have Davit setup with solar panels, but would like to add self-steering. I like the panels where they are and also taking the real estate on the bimini with 400 watts of flexible panels. The dink goes on the deck at sea, but also nice to have them at anchor to help deter theft, for short runs, and personal experience with a parted painter and dingy sailing off to ...

I prefer the Monitor and have experience with it, but don't know how to make it work on this boat with the davits or spend more money and add more ugly with an arch.

So, I think I am left with the Auto-Helm. What is your experience with this unit and is it as easy to setup and set as the monitor, handle as well, and how does it affect performance and backing? Don't want to spend $5K and find out I don't like it. Please only real world replies. Thank you in advance.

[leftbrainstuff]

We have a fleming wind vane and a good arch with wind and solar.

I'm currently fabricating articulated davits which clear the wind vane. Dinghy clearance is the main constraint for us.

We will stow the dinghy on the foredeck on passages where we expect to use the windvane.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[tdoster]

Originally Posted by leftbrainstuff

We have a fleming wind vane and a good arch with wind and solar.

I'm currently fabricating articulated davits which clear the wind vane. Dinghy clearance is the main constraint for us.

We will stow the dinghy on the foredeck on passages where we expect to use the windvane.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

I would have to re-engineer a lot of what is already back there to add a Monitor or Fleming. I like the idea of Auto-Helm being a split system allowing the vane to be mounted above the davits and the tab still on the hull. Just curious if the setup actually works as well, or how much of a tradeoff it might be.